John L. Smith: Davis Exercised Veto

Clay Henry

08/23/2012

John L. Smith was against any live tackling for his star running back -- until the player put in a veto.

John L. Smith said Knile Davis will take some live carries in the mock game Friday night. Smith said he had decided not to have any live work until first game but Knile vetoed that. He said Knile begged to get some live hits.

Ideally, Smith said Knile would "take the first handoff break three tackles, score and then sit down because that would be enough." The mock game will consist of about 40 offensive plays against the scout team and 40 for the defense.

"What changed my mind?" Smith said after his Thursday media briefing. "Knile vetoed me. I had decided coming into camp not to have him tackled (to the ground) until the first game. But he wanted it. Honestly, in my mind we weren't going to do this until we got to the game."

Smith said it's been a good camp, but this week has been a bit of a drain since school was added to practice.

"It's good we don't play this week," Smith said. "It will be good to have this week behind us where we put school with practice. They will handle it better next week."

Smith said the plan Friday night in the closed mock game will be to put the first offense against the backups simulating Jacksonville State for about 40 snaps, then do the same thing with the starting defense against the backups.

Smith said Thursday's practice was a lot like what's been done in the past four years. The Thursday before a game is called "Perfect Thursday." Smith, in his typical joking way, said it was perfect until he had to meet with the media.

Smith said nothing is "etched in stone," but he provided a glimpse of the freshmen not on the redshirt list.

\r\nSmith said it's been a good camp, but this week has been a bit of a drain since school was added to practice.\r\n

\r\n\"It's good we don't play this week,\" Smith said. \"It will be good to have this week behind us where we put school with practice. They will handle it better next week.\"\r\n

\r\nSmith said the plan Friday night in the closed mock game will be to put the first offense against the backups simulating Jacksonville State for about 40 snaps, then do the same thing with the starting defense against the backups.\r\n

\r\nSmith said Thursday's practice was a lot like what's been done in the past four years. The Thursday before a game is called \"Perfect Thursday.\" Smith, in his typical joking way, said it was perfect until he had to meet with the media.\r\n

\r\nSmith said nothing is \"etched in stone,\" but he provided a glimpse of the freshmen not on the redshirt list.\r\n